Author’s note: Throughout this strip, I refer to the Chevalière d’Eon via female pronouns and feminine gendered language. As I state in the strip, this is the single instance so far in the history of Clippings where it is impossible to know exactly how the subject would have gendered themselves, and I will admit that due to this being a six-panel strip I am leaving a good deal of nuance out that proves that point.
However, I am erring on the side of feminine language for one reason: the Chevalière’s own writings on herself refer to her not only by feminine language but as someone who was born a woman and forced to live as a man. And while that is demonstrably false (quite the opposite, it turns out), I am far more inclined to use gendered language that the historical figure in question used for themselves in their own writings, regardless of whether or not their anatomy matches. I’m here to respect and promote the autonomy of trans folks, first and foremost. If they call themselves femme in their own private correspondence, then a femme they shall be.
Sources:
Gary Kates, Monseur d’Eon Is A Woman
Zagria. “Mademoiselle Chevalière Charlotte d’Eon de Beaumont – Part II: Return to France, Return to England” Gender Variance Who’s Who. https://zagria.blogspot.com/2022/05/mademoiselle-chevaliere-charlotte-deon.html
